Excellent service and competitive prices are why Mailtronics components have been used for many years by Nexus students.	Ideas for projects Robots Data loggers Sensors Physics equipment Winning projects details FUN! Science page Circuit ideas

What is a microcontroller?

Mmicroprocessors and microcontrollers are a type of computer chip specifically designed for controlling hardware. The Basic STAMP is one example. PICAXE chips are great for use in robots and sensor devices.

PICAXE Controllers

The PICAXE range of processors were developed in the United Kingdom (with Oil & Gas funding) by Bath firm Revolution Education Ltd. These pre-programmed, interpreter devices are extremely cheap and only have a few limitations.

All PICAXE processors are programmed using a language which is a variant of BASIC. The software to do this is available for free. Make sure you download the latest version which now includes a 4 channel data plotter!

The Programming Editor is Windows compatible only software, running on 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000 and XP, and supports not just PICAXE programming, but also Basic Stamp programming, native PIC Assembly Language programming, and has the ability to program blank PIC chips.

Apart from the BASIC commands, the Programming Editor allows programs to be entered as flowcharts. The Editor also permits you to simulate how your programme will operate, a great time saving feature.

An old mouse serial lead with a DB9 plug can be made into a programming lead as shown below:

J2 connects to the 3 wire HDR plug on the serial lead. This permits you to download your program into the PICAXE. For more specific details visit the PICAXE website: www.picaxe.co.uk Remember that you are now recommended to run the PICAXE at no more than 5 volts.	Serial lead wired to 3 pin plug to download from your PC. The serial lead connects to J2 in the circuit diagram.

A 2xAA battery box with switch is a safe and tidy way to ensure that the batteries cannot be connected the wrong way around in a circuit. We are prototyping on Wishboard then use Veroboard (& 8-pin IC sockets) for finished circuits.

Rotate schematic above by 180 degrees to match pin configuration shown on this solderless Wishboard circuit. Holes marked 1,2 and 3 (directly above link wire and below the 10k resistor) are where the programming lead is plugged in when neccessary. Now just add input devices such as sensors or add output devices such as speakers, motors, LED's, etc.

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CIRCUIT IDEAS...

We have a number of PICAXE projects tested by Year 12 and Year 13 Physics students at Inglewood High School. The PICAXE can act as a data logger, transmit data through students (skin is slightly conductive), provide motor control for small robots and do heaps more!

Below are some of the projects...

Heart beat monitor - using the latest (2007) RIGEL software created using GameMaker.

Black Box data-logger - Add a sensor to this mobile PICAXE to record data anywhere, then download to your PC (with code)

Lunar Lander - use nothing but air to steer a spaceship to safety

Laser Wars! - Play a combat game in broad daylight instead of in the dark! See the Terminator!

Bike Indicator - A Primary School student puts a PICAXE on her bike (with code)

Mighty Mouse - uses LDR's to either run away from light or move toward light. You can even get him/her to follow a line drawn on the floor or desk! (with code)

The Professors electronic ear - a classroom noise level alarm; a must for all teachers!

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NEW!

RIGEL - Real-world interactive games and electronics link. A SMARTboard capable interactive real-world game interface, datalogger and proces control system. Suitable for teaching, research and industrial applications.